One more... pleeeeze!

Scarlet is pulling out all of the stops for another sugar cookie from the bakery.

Coming Home...

Playing in the Leaves

Who else drove?

3 Chics & a Chevy

Susan drove Lindsay & I to get a movie in the old Chevy.. we had quite an adventure.

Layla checking on Adeline

Layla was extra attentive to Adeline when she wasn't feeling well.  

Tractor Rides

Thanksgiving wouldn't be the same without our tractor rides through the neighborhood.  I even gave the tractor a spin this year.  :)

What we love about Thanksgiving....

Since Andy and I were engaged in 2003, we have been spending every Thanksgiving in Wichita.  My first Thanksgiving it was Keith, Susan, Andy, Sam, & me.  This year we were plus 3, adding Scarlet, Adeline, & Lindsay.  There are so many things we love about our long holiday weekend in Wichita, most importantly time with our family and the amazing dinner that Susan makes with such love and....

cuddles & movies

playing in the leaves

 Sitting on the porch watching the many squirrels & birds

 pumpkins & plenty of pumpkin pie

 playing in the yard among evergreen trees and collecting pine cones

 autumn skies

 tractor rides

 getting spoiled by Gaga & Papa 

 and how could we forget Black Friday poinsettias

and many memories made...

Cough, Cough

We spent Thanksgiving morning at the hospital because there weren't any urgent cares open.  Adeline found a way to entertain herself.  She was sent home with some medicine for croup and is doing great!

These moments...

.... melt my heart.

Family Photo!

This week at Adeline's school they are doing activities surrounded around family.  We were asked to bring in a family photo.  As I was searching my pictures, I had just a ton of pictures but not an actual family photo since last winter!  So, tonight in an attempt to send Adeline to school with a family photo we snapped a picture using the self timer.  Unfortunately, out of the 3 pictures there wasn't one picture with both girls looking.  Layla was too concerned with Scarlet's apple to put on her best camera face.  And at the end of the day, I think this pretty much captures our busy family and I love it.

Zoo Mornings

I just love the zoo on mornings when school is in session.  There are so few families there and we are able to enjoy our time.  Today, we met Kumari & her boys.  Each of them picked an animal they wanted to see and that is how we navigate the zoo.  So today, we say jelly fish, tigers, bears, and ended with the carousel.

Quiet Evenings

Although, I am not crazy about it getting dark so early; I do have to admit I enjoy being able to just stay home with quiet evenings.

Ladies & Gentlemen!

Adeline came out of her room ready to play pretend in quite the costume.  As she hid around the corner she instructed me to announce her very specifically, "Ladies & Gentlemen, Welcome to the Reindeer and Frog Princess Show!"  And yes.. that I did, over and over again as she gave Scarlet and I quite the performance.

Just Mommy & Me

Now that Adeline goes to Preschool two mornings a week, Scarlet and I have a little time when it is just the two of us.  On one of those mornings we normally get our grocery shopping done, but on the other morning we do something fun together.  Although, even on the morning that we are running a couple errands I think Scarlet enjoys being an "only child"... even if it is for only a couple of hours.   But, she is always ready to pick up Adeline from school and gets very excited when we pull up and go get her from her classroom.  This week, when we picked Adeline up and I got both girls buckled in their seats Adeline very seriously turned to Scarlet and said, "Scarlet-  I am sorry to tell you this but you can't be my best friend anymore.  Nina is now my best friend.  I am just sorry about that."  And so it begins...

Itty Bitty City

The girls had fun at the new exhibit, "Itty Bity City" at the Children's Museum.  From everything from a city bus to a weather station to explore they kept busy and took long naps when we got home.

Funday Sunday

Hurry Home!

With anticipation of Andy coming home, the girls set his place at the dinner table.  The mermaid is there "to keep him company."  Never a dull moment here.

Equality

As Adeline was playing with her dolls tonight, she married Tiana and Cinderella (while singing Sleeping Beauty's "Once Upon a Dream"). I look forward to bringing my girls to the polls with me on Tuesday and voting YES to retain Wiggins. I am proud to raise my daughters in a state that has a tradition of upholding freedom, justice and equality. Here is a great article from a Drake Law professor regarding voting "Yes" on retention:  http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20121031/OPINION01/310310078/Iowa-View-American-values-support-yes-vote-retention

Layla, What is the Weather?

Layla was serenaded this morning by one of Adeline's preschool songs, "What is the Weather?"  As you can see from the picture, Layla wasn't as amused as Adeline.

Fish Food

 Adeline came up to me and said "smell my breath". Against my better judgment I asked "why" and proceeded to do the unthinkable. Then Adeline continues, "what does it smell like... does it smell like fish food?".  I guess in the process, she was thoughtful enough to feed the fish first.  Ah!